Clint and his Christmas gifts



Marley and her Grandpa Hall! Isn't her hat cute? Melanie made it.


Jenna is a smiley girl. What a doll!.

Yep, thought I would try this again.
Tomorrow is Marley's 1st birthday! She is a cutie.

Jenna is smiling and is the cutest thing.

Clint was finally moved to his second area on his mission. He is good and working hard.

Two days from now Claudia and I get to go visit my sister Carolyn in Long Beach! Just in time, today it snowed a ton!

Clint's video of his 6 month tie burning!

Happy 24th of July!

Today is the 24th of July. It is special because I don't have to work. Claudia is working because she has an audit next week and has much to do......ask her the story why!

I have been the busy guy today. Today I cut down two pine trees that have blessed my yard for 28 years. They were just babies when they moved in. But they passed this spring and it was time for the chain saw and a compost burial.

In the fall I will get a grinder and grind down the roots and plant grass in the spot they used to be in. The biggest problem is that it leave a big open area into our campground spot. We need to decide how to fill up this area to once again have the privacy (which has never been needed) that have had in the past.

I also watered the garden....it is behind some of the neighbors and Dad's but it will come along. Today I saw there were some beans ready. I am not sure how many but it is time to pick and see.

So, happy 24th of July and all that stuff.

dkh

Clint Arrives in San Diego

I was so happy to open my email today and see that I had photos from Clint's mission president.

It has been an emotional week for me. I first was having panic attacks, worried that my son would be the only one to arrive at the mission home without a letter. President Donaldson asked that we have a letter waiting for him when he arrived. We sent some yummy buttermints as well. In my mind, I had sent the package express mail, but instead just sent it priority mail. I checked the tracking online every few hours from Friday through Monday. On Monday, apparently they had not updated it for the day. I thought when I got home from work it would surely have been delivered as it was sorted early Sunday morning, but it was not. I had a mild breakdown, knowing that if it was not delivered on Monday, he would probably not get it. About 7:30 PM the website updated and the package had been delivered earlier in the day.

On Tuesday morning about 7:30 AM, I was at work when I came to the realization that Clint would probably call the house phone, if he had a chance and I would not be there. He would probably not remember my cell phone number, as we are all so use to just pulling up the name and number in our phones. Just as I was having another meltdown, in front of a patient at work, my cell phone rang. All was well.

Through teary eyes, I spend the next 15 minutes talking with him. He already seems more grown up. He reported how his district was the best. They got along so well right from the beginning and was not about to let anyone go home. Other districts, apparently had trouble with arguing and Elders wanting to go home. I am grateful, that Clint ended up in the district he did. He is glad to be out in the real world. Just waiting for the address now.

MTC Update Jul 3-5

I am in love with my mailbox. It is so great to go to the mailbox and find a letter especially, since we were not expecting one for a while.

Clint continues to sound amazing. It sounds like he is working hard, liking his companion and finding out it can be kind of tough to stay motivated 24/7. He has asked us to send his patriartical blessing; he left it on his desk and wants to have that with him. "Can't wait to get to San Diego."

He did get to see fireworks out his window on the 4th of July.

First Missionary Letter

We got our first letter. It was so exciting. Pday is on Wednesday, so we are already looking forward to another letter this week on Friday or Saturyday. He sounds very happy. His darling personality shows through in his letters. Still miss him.

Good-bye Clint

Clint left for the MTC today. We had breakfast with the family this morning and then dropped him off, much like taking someone to the airport. We were given his mailing address. They offered to take a picture, a hug goodbye and that was it . . . he was gone. Two years is an awfully long time. He is so excited and ready to serve; that makes it a touch easier. I only cried until we reached I-15. A few tears here and there, but no sobbing. I'm sure there will be more. We will miss him terribly, but wouldn't want it any other way. Waiting for the first letter now.

Marley

Marley is growing so fast. Everytime we see her she seems to have grown. Other babies still look huge compared to her, but she is catching up quickly. She has started to smile and coo; and that can melt your heart. It is amazing to think about how instantly she became such a huge part of our life. Being grandparents is definitely one of the greatest things in life.

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